Detection of fusarium species infecting corn using the polymerase chain reaction

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to the use of primers in polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of a  Fusarium proliferatum, F. verticillioides  and  F. subglutinans.  Specific primers are identified as being useful for the identification of fungal isolates using PCR based techniques.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the use of primers in polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of maize Fusarium ear rot pathogens Fusarium subglutinans, F. proliferatum, and F. verticillioides (syn. F. moniliforme). The use of these primers enables the detection of specific isolates of fungal pathogens and the monitoring of disease development in plant populations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Diseases in plants cause considerable crop loss from year to year resulting both in economic deprivation to farmers and, in many parts of the world, to shortfalls in the nutritional provision for local populations. The widespread use of fungicides has provided considerable security against plant pathogen attack; however, despite $1 billion worth of expenditure on fungicides, worldwide crop losses amounted to approximately 10% of crop value in 1981 (James, 1981, Seed Sci. & Technol. 9: 679-685).

[0003] The severity of the destructive process of disease depends on the aggressiveness of the pathogen and the response of the host. One aim of most plant breeding programs is to increase the resistance of host plants to disease. Typically, different races of pathogens interact with different varieties of the same crop species differentially, and many sources of host resistance only protect against specific pathogen races. Furthermore, some pathogen races show early signs of disease symptoms, but cause little damage to the crop. Jones and Clifford (1983, Cereal Diseases, John Wiley) report that virulent forms of the pathogen are expected to emerge in the pathogen population in response to the introduction of resistance into host cultivars and that it is therefore necessary to monitor pathogen populations. In addition, there are several documented cases of the evolution of fungal strains that are resistant to particular fungicides. As early as 1981, Fletcher and Wolfe (1981, Proc. 1981 Brit. Crop Prot. Conf.) contended that 24% of the powdery mildew populations from spring barley and 53% from winter barley showed considerable variation in response to the fungicide triadimenol and that the distribution of these populations varied between varieties, with the most susceptible variety also giving the highest incidence of less susceptible types. Similar variation in the sensitivity of fungi to fungicides has been documented for wheat mildew (also to triadimenol), Botrytis (to benomyl), Pyrenophora (to organomercury), Pseudocercosporella (to MBC-type fungicides) and Mycosphaerella fijiensis to triazoles to mention just a few (Jones and Clifford, Cereal Diseases, John Wiley, 1983).

[0004] Maize Fusarium ear rots are caused by Fusarium verticillioides, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans. The importance of the disease is derived from the production of the mycotoxin fumonisin by the causal organisms (Compendium of Corn Diseases, 3^(rd) ed., D. White Ed., APS Press, 1999). Contaminated grain can cause serious problems for the maize feed and food industries (Munkvold and Desjardins, 1997, Plant Disease 81(6):556-565). Fumonisins inhibit the biosynthesis of sphingolipids, changing the sphingolipid composition of a number of target tissues, and can cause a variety of diseases in animals that eat contaminated feeds (Munkvold and Desjardins, 1997). Consumption of maize contaminated with high levels of fumonisins has been epidemiologically associated with high levels of esophageal cancer in human populations in parts of the world where maize is a staple food (Munkvold and Desjardins, 1997). This situation is further complicated by the common occurrence of fumonisins in symptomless infected kernels (Desjardins and Plattner,1998, Plant Disease 82(8):953-958). Though Fusarium ear rots typically do not significantly affect yield, they do introduce mycotoxins to the grain, leading to the loss of grain and seed quality.

[0005] In view of the above, there is a real need for the development of technology that will allow the identification of specific races of pathogen fungi early in the infection process. By identifying the specific race of a pathogen before disease symptoms become evident in the crop stand, the agriculturist can assess the likely effects of further development of the pathogen in the crop variety in which it has been identified and can choose an appropriate fungicide if such application is deemed necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is drawn to methods of identification of different pathotypes of plant pathogenic fungi. The invention provides primers derived from either the mitochondrial Small Subunit Ribosomal DNA sequences or Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequences of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) of different fungal pathotypes.

[0007] These primers generate unique fragments in PCR reactions in which the DNA template is provided by specific fungal pathotypes and can thus be used to identify the presence or absence of specific pathotypes in host plant material before the onset of disease symptoms.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides diagnostic primers from Mitochondrial Small Subunit (SSU) rDNA or the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequences of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene for the detection of Fusarium subglutinans, F. proliferatum, and F. verticillioides.

[0009] This invention provides the possibility of assessing potential damage in a specific crop variety-pathogen strain relationship and of utilizing judiciously the diverse armory of fungicides that is available. Furthermore, the invention can be used to provide detailed information on the development and spread of specific pathogen races over extended geographical areas. The invention provides a method of detection that is especially suitable for diseases with a long latent phase.

[0010] Kits useful in the practice of the invention are also provided. The kits find particular use in the identification of Fusarium subglutinans, F. proliferatum, and F. verticillioides.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEQUENCES IN THE SEQUENCE LISTING

[0011] SEQ ID NO: 1 Fusarium verticillioides (syn. F. moniliforme) small subunit ribosomal RNA, mitochondrial gene encoding mitochondrial RNA, partial sequence. GenBank Accession Number U34497.

[0012] SEQ ID NO: 2 Fusarium proliferatum NRRL 22944 small subunit ribosomal RNA, mitochondrial gene encoding mitochondrial RNA, partial sequence. GenBank Accession Number U34500.

[0013] SEQ ID NO: 3 Gibberella zeae (syn. Fusarium graminearum) small subunit ribosomal RNA, mitochondrial gene encoding mitochondrial RNA, partial sequence. GenBank Accession Number U34520.

[0014] SEQ ID NO: 4 Fusarium subglutinans small subunit ribosomal RNA, mitochondrial gene encoding mitochondrial RNA, partial sequence. GenBank Accession Number U34501.

[0015] SEQ ID NO: 5 Fusarium subglutinans internal transcribed spacer RNA. GenBank Accession Number U34559.

[0016] SEQ ID NO: 6 Gibberella zeae NRRL 5883 internal transcribed spacer RNA. GenBank Accession Number U34578.

[0017] SEQ ID NO: 7 Fusarium proliferatum NRRL 22944 internal transcribed spacer RNA. GenBank Accession Number U34558.

[0018] SEQ ID NO: 8 Fusarium verticillioides (syn. F. moniliforme) internal transcribed spacer RNA. GenBank Accession Number U34555.

[0019] SEQ ID NO: 9 Oligonucleotide Primer ITS1

[0020] SEQ ID NO: 10 Oligonucleotide Primer ITS2

[0021] SEQ ID NO: 11 Oligonucleotide Primer ITS3

[0022] SEQ ID NO: 12 Oligonucleotide Primer ITS4

[0023] SEQ ID NO: 13 Oligonucleotide Primer FCORN1

[0024] SEQ ID NO: 14 Oligonucleotide Primer FCORN2

[0025] SEQ ID NO: 15 Oligonucleotide Primer FSUB1

[0026] SEQ ID NO: 16 Oligonucleotide Primer FSUB2

[0027] SEQ ID NO: 17 Oligonucleotide Primer FSUB3

[0028] SEQ ID NO: 18 Oligonucleotide Primer FVERT1

[0029] SEQ ID NO: 19 Oligonucleotide Primer FVERT2

[0030] SEQ ID NO: 20 Oligonucleotide Primer FPRO1

[0031] SEQ ID NO: 21 Oligonucleotide Primer FPRO2

[0032] SEQ ID NO: 22 Oligonucleotide Primer FPRO3

[0033] SEQ ID NO: 23 Oligonucleotide Primer MS1

[0034] SEQ ID NO: 24 Oligonucleotide Primer MS2

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The present invention provides unique DNA sequences that are useful in identifying different pathotypes of plant pathogenic fungi. Particularly, the DNA sequences can be used as primers in PCR-based analysis for the identification of fungal pathotypes. The DNA sequences of the invention include primers derived from partial sequences of the mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal RNA genes (SSU rDNA) or the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequences of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene regions of particular fungal pathogens that are capable of identifying the particular pathogen.

[0036] Biomedical researchers have used PCR-based techniques for some time and with moderate success to detect pathogens in infected animal tissues. Only recently, however, has this technique been applied to detect plant pathogens. The presence of Gaumannomyces graminis in infected wheat has been detected using PCR of sequences specific to the pathogen mitochondrial genome (Schlesser et al., 1991, Applied and Environ. Microbiol. 57: 553-556), and random amplified polymorphic DNA (i.e. RAPD) markers were able to distinguish numerous races of Gremmeniella abietina, the causal agent of scleroderris canker in conifers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,238 (herein incorporated by reference in its entirety) describes primers derived from the ITS sequences of the ribosomal RNA gene region of strains of Septoria, Pseudocercosporella, and Mycosphaerella and their use in the identification of these fungal isolates using PCR-based techniques. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,955,274 (herein incorporated by reference in its entirety) describes primers derived from the ITS sequences of the ribosomal RNA gene region of strains of Fusarium and their use in the identification of these fungal isolates using PCR-based techniques. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,997 (herein incorporated by reference in its entirety) describes primers derived from the ITS sequences of the ribosomal RNA gene region of strains of Cercospora, Helminthosporium, Kabatiella, and Puccinia and their use in the identification of these fungal isolates using PCR-based techniques.

[0037] Ribosomal genes are suitable for use as molecular probe targets because of their high copy number. Despite the high conservation between mature rRNA sequences, the non-transcribed and transcribed spacer sequences are usually poorly conserved and are thus suitable as target sequences for the detection of recent evolutionary divergence. Fungal rRNA genes are organized in units, each of which encodes three mature subunits of 18S (small subunit), 5.8S, and 28S (large subunit). These subunits are separated by two Internal Transcribed Spacers, ITS1 and ITS2, of around 300 bp (White et al., 1990, in PCR Protocols, Innes et al., Eds., pages 315-322). In addition, the transcriptional units are separated by non-transcribed spacer sequences (NTSs). ITS and NTS sequences are particularly suitable for the detection of specific pathotypes of different fungal pathogens.

[0038] Mitochondrial small subunit rDNA sequences similarly evolve more quickly than nuclear small subunit rDNA sequences and are thus more useful in differentiating more closely related species. As with the more quickly evolving ITS region sequences the mitochondrial small subunit rDNA sequences are composed of regions of higher and lesser variability which allow the use of conserved primers such as MS1 and MS2 described by White et al. (1990, in PCR Protocols, Innes et al., Eds., pages 315-322) to amplify out regions that contain more variability.

[0039] The DNA sequences of the invention are from partial sequences of the mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal RNA genes (SSU rDNA) or the Internal Transcribed Spacer sequences of the ribosomal RNA gene region of different plant pathogens. The mitrochondrial SSU rDNA and nuclear ITS region DNA sequences from different pathotypes within a pathogen species or genus vary among the different members of the species or genus. Once the sequences of either of these regions has been determined for a given pathogen, these sequences can be aligned with other respective sequences from the same region for other pathogens. In this manner, primers can be derived from the mitrochondrial SSU rDNA or nuclear ITS region sequences that are specific for a given pathogen. That is, primers can be designed based on regions within either the mitrochondrial SSU or nuclear ITS region sequences that contain the greatest differences in sequence among the fungal pathotypes when similar regions are compared. These sequences and primers based on these sequences can be used to identify specific pathogens.

[0040] The present invention provides oligonucleotide primers for use in amplification-based detection of a fungal Internal Transcribed Spacer DNA sequence, wherein said primer has sequence identity with at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of the Internal Transcribed Spacer sequence from Fusarium spp., such as but not limited to F. subglutinans, F. proliferatum, or F. verticillioides. In a preferred embodiment, the fungal specis is Fusarium proliferatum. In other preferred embodiments, the ITS comprises the nucleotides sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, 7 or 8, more preferably, SEQ ID NO: 7.

[0041] In preferred embodiments, oligonucleotide primers derived from ITS sequences comprises or consists of a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 9-12, 21 or 22. The primers are useful in the PCR-based identification of Fusarium proliferatum.

[0042] The present invention also provides oligonucleotide primers for use in amplification-based detection of a fungal mitochondrial small subunit rDNA sequence, wherein said primer has sequence identity with at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of the mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence from Fusarium spp., in particular but not limited to, F. subglutinans, F. verticillioides, or F. proliferatum. More particularly, the mtSSU rDNA comprises the nucleotides sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 1-4.

[0043] In preferred embodiments, oligonucleotide primers derived from mitochondrial SSU rDNA comprise a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 13-20, 23, or 24. The primers are useful in the PCR-based identification of the Fusarium spp. pathogens of interest. In particular, the Fusarium spp. include, but are not limited to, F. subglutinans or F. verticillioides (syn. F. moniliforme). The present invention also provides for pairs of oligonucleotide primers. In one embodiment, a pair of oligonucleotide primers for use in the amplification-based detection of a fungal Internal Transcribed Spacer DNA sequence, wherein at least one of said primers is the oligonucleotide primer has sequence identity with at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of the Internal Transcribed Spacer sequence from Fusarium spp. such as but not limited to SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, 7 or 8. In another embodiment, the invention provides a pair of oligonucleotide primers, wherein at least one of said primers is the oligonucleotide primer of with at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of the Internal Transcribed Spacer sequence from a Fusarium proliferatum, such as but not limited to SEQ ID NO: 7.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a pair of oligonucleotide primers wherein at least one primer consists of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 9-12, 21 or 22. Preferred pairs of primers are: ITS1 (SEQ ID NO: 9) and FPRO2 (SEQ ID NO: 21); ITS1 (SEQ ID NO: 9) and FPRO3 (SEQ ID NO: 22); ITS3 (SEQ ID NO: 1) and FPRO2 (SEQ ID NO: 21); and ITS3 (SEQ ID NO: 11) and FPRO3 (SEQ ID NO: 22).

[0045] In another embodiment, a pair of oligonucleotide primers for use in the amplification-based detection of a fungal mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence, wherein at least one of said primers is the oligonucleotide primer has sequence identity with at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of the mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence from Fusarium spp., such as but not limited to SEQ ID NOS: 1-4. In another embodiment, the invention provides a pair of oligonucleotide primers, wherein at least one of said primers is the oligonucleotide primer of with at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of the mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence from a Fusarium spp., such as but not limited to SEQ ID NOS: 1-4. In particular, the Fusarium spp. are but are not limited to, Fusarium subglutinans, Fusarium proliferatum and/or Fusarium verticillioides (syn. F. moniliforme).

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the a pair of oligonucleotide primers wherein one primer consists of a mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA derived oligonucleotide primer of SEQ ID NOS: 13-20, 23, or 24.

[0047] In other more preferred embodiments, the invention provides pairs of oligonucleotide primers wherein said pair consists of SEQ ID NO: 15 and SEQ ID NO: 16; wherein said pair consists of SEQ ID NO: 13 and SEQ ID NO: 16; wherein said pair consists of SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 18; wherein said pair consists of SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 19; or wherein said pair consists of SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 20.

[0048] Methods for the use of the primer sequences of the invention in PCR analysis are well known in the art. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202, as well as Schlesser et al. (1991) Applied and Environ. Microbiol. 57:553-556. See also, Nazar et al. (1991, Physiol. and Molec. Plant Pathol. 39:1-11), which used PCR amplification to exploit differences in the ITS regions of Verticillium albo-atrum and Verticillium dahliae and therefore distinguish between the two species; and Johanson and Jeger (1993, Mycol. Res. 97: 670-674), who used similar techniques to distinguish the banana pathogens Mycosphaerella fijiensis and Mycosphaerella musicola.

[0049] The target DNA sequences of the invention can be cloned from fungal pathogens by methods known in the art. In general, the methods for the isolation of DNA from fungal isolates are known. See, Raeder & Broda (1985) Letters in Applied Microbiology 2:17-20; Lee et al. (1990) Fungal Genetics Newsletter 35:23-24; and Lee and Taylor (1990) In: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications, Innes et al. (Eds.); pages 282-287.

[0050] The published mitochondrial SSU rDNA or ITS rDNA sequences are compared within each pathogen group to locate divergences that might be useful to test in PCR to distinguish the different species and/or strains. From the identification of divergences, numerous primers are synthesized and tested in PCR-amplification. Templates used for PCR-amplification testing are firstly purified pathogen DNA, and subsequently DNA isolated from infected host plant tissue. Thus, it is possible to identify pairs of primers that are diagnostic, i.e. that identified one particular pathogen species or strain but not another species or strain of the same pathogen. Primers are also designed to regions highly conserved among the species to develop genus-specific primers as well as primers that will identify any of several fungal pathogens that cause a particular disease. For example, primers are developed to differentiate species of Fusarium: F. proliferatum, F. verticillioides, and F. subglutinans.

[0051] Preferred primer combinations are able to distinguish between the different species or strains in infected host tissue, i.e. host tissue that has previously been infected with a specific pathogen species or strain. This invention provides numerous primer combinations that distinguish Fusarium proliferatum, F. verticillioides, and F. subglutinans. The primers of the invention are designed based on sequence differences among either the mitochondrial SSU rDNA or the ITS rDNA regions. A minimum of one base pair difference between sequences can permit design of a discriminatory primer. Primers designed to a specific fungal DNA sequence can be used in combination with a primer made to a conserved sequence region flanking the region containing divergences to amplify species-specific PCR fragments. In general, primers should have a theoretical melting temperature between about 60 to about 70 degree ° C. to achieve good sensitivity and should be void of significant secondary structure and 3′ overlaps between primer combinations. In preferred embodiments, primers are anywhere from approximately 5-30 nucleotide bases long.

[0052] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for the detection of a fungal pathogen, comprising the steps of:

[0053] (a) isolating DNA from a plant tissue infected with a pathogen;

[0054] (b) subjecting said DNA to polymerase chain reaction amplification using at least one primer having sequence identity with at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of an Internal Transcribed Spacer sequence of a Fusarium spp.; and

[0055] (c) detecting said fungal pathogen by visualizing the product or products of said polymerase chain reaction amplification.

[0056] In preferred embodiments, the method detects infections with a pathogen, wherein said fungal pathogen Fusarium subglutinans, Fusarium proliferatum or Fusarium verticillioides. In another preferred embodiment, the ITS sequences have the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, 7, or 8.

[0057] In another preferred embodiment, the method uses at least one primer having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 9-12, 20 or 21. In another embodiment, the present invention provides for a method for the detection of a fungal pathogen, comprising the steps of:

[0058] (a) isolating DNA from a plant tissue infected with a pathogen;

[0059] (b) subjecting said DNA to polymerase chain reaction amplification using at least one primer having sequence identity with at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of a mitochondrial small subunit rDNA sequence of a Fusarium spp.; and

[0060] (c) detecting said fungal pathogen by visualizing the product or products of said polymerase chain reaction amplification.

[0061] In preferred embodiments, the method detects the fungal pathogens of Fusarium subglutinans, Fusarium proliferatum or Fusarium verticillioides.

[0062] In another preferred embodiment, the method uses at least one primer having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 13-20, 23 or 24.

[0063] In more preferred embodiments, the methods uses a pairs of oligonucleotide primers wherein said pair consists of SEQ ID NO: 15 and SEQ ID NO: 16; wherein said pair consists of SEQ ID NO: 13 and SEQ ID NO: 16; wherein said pair consists of SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 18; wherein said pair consists of SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 19; or wherein said pair consists of SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 20.

[0064] The present invention lends itself readily to the preparation of “kits” containing the elements necessary to carry out the process. Such a kit may comprise a carrier being compartmentalized to receive in close confinement therein one or more container, such as tubes or vials. One of the containers may contain unlabeled or detectably labeled DNA primers. The labeled DNA primers may be present in lyophilized form or in an appropriate buffer as necessary. One or more containers may contain one or more enzymes or reagents to be utilized in PCR reactions. These enzymes may be present by themselves or in admixtures, in lyophilized form or in appropriate buffers. In one embodiment, the diagnostic kit used in detecting a fungal pathogen, comprises at least one primer of SEQ ID NOs: 9-12, 21 or 22 for ITS derived primers or SEQ ID NOs: 13-20, 23, or 24 for primers derived from mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA.

[0065] In more preferred embodiments, the diagnostic kit used in detecting a fungal pathogen, comprises the pair of primers described above. More preferably, the pairs of primers are SEQ ID NO: 15 and SEQ ID NO: 16; SEQ ID NO: 13 and SEQ ID NO: 16; SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 18; SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 19; or SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 20.

[0066] Finally, the kit may contain all of the additional elements necessary to carry out the technique of the invention, such as buffers, extraction reagents, enzymes, pipettes, plates, nucleic acids, nucleoside triphosphates, filter paper, gel materials, transfer materials, autoradiography supplies, and the like.

[0067] The examples below show typical experimental protocols that can be used in the selection of suitable primer sequences, the testing of primers for selective and diagnostic efficacy, and the use of such primers for disease and fungal isolate detection. Such examples are provided by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

[0068] Numerous references cited above are all incorporated herein in their entireties.

EXAMPLES

[0069] Standard recombinant DNA and molecular cloning techniques used here are well known in the art and are described by J. Sambrook, E. F. Fritsch and T. Maniatis, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory manual, Cold Spring Harbor laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989) and by T. J. Silhavy, M. L. Berman, and L. W. Enquist, Experiments with Gene Fusions, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1984) and by Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, pub. by Greene Publishing Assoc. and Wiley-Interscience (1987).

Example 1 Fungal Isolates and Genomic Fungal DNA Extraction

[0070] See Tables 1 and 2 for listings of the fungal isolates used and their sources. Isolates used to validate the assays in the following examples were obtained from a number of academic institutions and collections (Table 1). TABLE 1 Source of Test Isolates Isolate Source Isolation Geographic Origin Fusarium moniliforme M-1231 Penn State¹ Rice Philippines Fusarium moniliforme M-1264 Penn State¹ Rice Sierra Leone Fusarium moniliforme M-1329 Penn State¹ Rice California, USA Fusarium moniliforme M-3120 Penn State¹ Maize California, USA Fusarium moniliforme M-3125 Penn State¹ Maize California, USA Fusarium sporotrichioides 3299 NRRL² Fusarium subglutinans M-3693 Penn State¹ Maize Iowa, USA Fusarium subglutinans M-3696 Penn State¹ Maize Iowa, USA Fusarium moniliforme M-3744 Penn State¹ Rice Australia Fusarium moniliforme M-5167 Penn State¹ Rice Iran Fusarium moniliforme M-5587 Penn State¹ Date Palm Iraq Fusarium moniliforme M-5605 Penn State¹ Poland Fusarium proliferatum M-5991 Penn State¹ Swine Feed Iowa, USA Fusarium moniliforme M-6173 Penn State¹ Rice Malaysia Fusarium sambucinum- R-6380 Penn State¹ Potato Germany sulphureum Fusarium moniliforme M-6471 Penn State¹ Maize Kansas Fusarium moniliforme M-8510 Penn State¹ Rice Nepal Fusarium moniliforme 6396 NRRL² Chicken Arkansas, USA Feed Fusarium moniliforme 13563 NRRL² Pinus taeda North Carolina, USA Fusarium moniliforme 25029 NRRL² Nilaparvata India lugens Fusarium subglutinans 13588 NRRL² Maize Iowa, USA Fusarium subglutinans 13599 NRRL² Maize Zambia Fusarium subglutinans 20844 NRRL² Maize Germany Fusarium proliferatum 94-041 Iowa State³ Maize Iowa Fusarium proliferatum 94-066 Iowa State³ Maize Iowa Fusarium proliferatum 94-129 Iowa State³ Maize Iowa Fusarium proliferatum 95-122 Iowa State³ Maize Iowa Fusarium proliferatum 95-135 Iowa State³ Maize Iowa Fusarium proliferatum 95-289 Iowa State³ Maize Iowa Fusarium culmorum R-5126 Penn State¹ Minnesota, USA Fusarium graminearum R-8637 Penn State¹ Settat, Morocco Microdochium nivale 15N1 S.Edwards⁴ United Kingdom M. nivale var. majus 93 Novartis, Basel⁵ — Fusarium poae T-427 Penn State¹ Pennsylvannia, USA Fusarium avenaceum 64452 ATCC⁶ Wheat Poland Diplodia maydis 5139 C.Naidoo⁷ Illinois, USA Macrophomina phaseolina MP97 J. Mihail⁸ Missouri, USA Aspergillus flavus 3557 NRRL Collection² Kabatiella zeae 18594 ATCC⁶ Maize Wisconsin, USA Cercospora zeae-maydis 69281L C.Naidoo⁷ Illinois, USA Cercospora zeae-maydis 26158 ATCC⁶ Maize New York, USA Puccinia sorghi VA Helminthosporium maydis 24772 ATCC⁶ Maize North Carolina, USA Helminthosporium maydis 11534 ATCC⁶ Maize Maryland, USA Helminthosporium 16185 ATCC⁶ Maize Virginia, USA carbonum Helminthosporium 24962 ATCC⁶ Maize Illinois, USA carbonum Helminthosporium turcicum 26306 ATCC⁶ Maize Illinois, USA Fusarium culmorum 62215 ATCC⁶ Wheat seed Switzerland Fusarium culmorum R-5106 Darling Downs, Australia

[0071] Unknown ear rot isolates cultured from field grown maize were obtained from the Novartis Seeds research station in Stanton, Minn., USA and are described in Table 2. Fungi are grown on PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) plates. Cultures are incubated for up to 10 days at 28° C. Mycelia are ground in liquid nitrogen, and total genomic DNA is extracted using the protocol of Lee and Taylor (1990; In: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications; Eds.: Innes et al.; pages 282-287). TABLE 2 Geographical Source of Unknown Ear Rot Isolates Isolate Geographical Isolate Geographical Designation Region Designation Region Fm001 Nebraska Fm042 North Carolina Fm002 Georgia Fm043 Colorado Fm003 Iowa Fm044 Mississippi Fm004 Ohio Fm045 Hawaii Fm005 Illinois Fm046 Hawaii Fm006 Illinois Fm047 Hawaii Fm007 Illinois Fm048 Hawaii Fm008 Illinois Fm049 Hawaii Fm009 Ohio Fm050 Hawaii Fm010 Ohio Fm051 Hawaii Fm011 Fm052 Hawaii Fm012 Ohio Fm053 Hawaii Fm013 Kentucky Fm054 Hawaii Fm014 Illinois Fm055 Hawaii Fm034 Kentucky Fm056 Hawaii Fm035 Illinois Fsub1 Minnesota Fm036 Fsub2 Minnesota Fm037 Fsub3 Minnesota Fm039 Hawaii Fsub4 Minnesota Fm040 Hawaii BC3 189 Minnesota Fm041 North Carolina

Example 2 DNA Extraction from Maize Tissues

[0072] DNA is extracted from maize tissues by one of two methods. The method described in Example 2A is used for bulk extractions of maize leaves taken from some 10 -15 plants at either the ear, the node above the ear, or the node below the ear. Example 2B describes a method used for extracting DNA from maize tissues in 1.5 mL tubes. This method may be used for concentrating the sample around one lesion or for testing anther or axil material.

Example 2A Large-Scale DNA Extraction from Maize Leaves

[0073] DNA is extracted from maize leaves in a bulk maceration as follows:

[0074] (1) A sample consists of whole maize leaves collected from some 20 plants from the same position on the plant (ear leaf, third ear below leaf, etc.) and kept separated accordingly. The top third of each leaf is taken and extracted in bulk.

[0075] (2) The sample is placed in a Bioreba (Reinach, Switzerland) heavy duty plastic bag (cat#490100). The plant tissue is weighed, plastic bag with leaves minus the tare (weight of the plastic bag).

[0076] (3) An equal volume (ml) of CTAB Extraction Buffer (100 mM Tris, pH 8.0; 1.4 M NaCl; 20 mM Na₂-EDTA; 2% Hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB); 2% Polyvinylpyrolidine (PVPP); 0.1% ascorbic acid; 0.2% β-mercaptoethanol) is added per weight (g) of maize tissue. The tissue is macerated using a Bioreba Homex 6 homogenizer set at 70. The tissue is ground until fibrous.

[0077] (4) The extraction juice is homogenized and is aliquoted into eppendorf tubes on ice.

[0078] (a) The concentrated extract is boiled for 5 minutes.

[0079] (b) The boiled extract is placed on ice for two minutes. The boiled extract is then centrifuged for 5 minutes at 10,000×G.

[0080] (c) 1:40 dilutions of the supernatant from the microfuged extract in cold dH₂O are made and used as sample DNA template in PCR assays.

[0081] (d) The diluted extracts are stored on ice until ready to use.

[0082] For the purpose of showing that the assays do not cross-react with maize tissue, a sample of field-grown maize visually assessed as healthy obtained from Franklin, Id., USA near the end of June 1999 is used to test for background effects. DNA preparations are made from the sample using the protocol outlined in this example (The extract is designated 1999 Maize sample #1).

Example 2B Small-scale DNA Extraction From Anther, Axil, and Husk Tissues Collected from Field-grown Maize

[0083] Samples of Maize tissues consisting of anther, axil, or husk material are received in eppendorf tubes. Sample sizes are limited to occupying ⅕ volume of the 1.5 mL tube:

[0084] (1) Check/set the temperature of the dry bath is at 90° C. Transport samples on Dry-ice to Sawz-all. Keep samples on Dry-ice or at minus 80° C. before and after grinding.

[0085] (2) Place samples in box with lid to fit in a high velocity shaking apparatus.

[0086] (3) Secure the box in the shaking apparatus with extra lid and cardboard to ensure a tight fit. Grind for one minute. Remove box. Rotate 180° and grind for an additional minute.

[0087] (4) Add 500 μL of extraction buffer (100 mM Tris 8.0, 10 mM EDTA, 1% Sarkosyl)

[0088] (5) Vortex tubes

[0089] (6) Place tubes in a 90° C. dry bath. Incubate samples for 30 minutes.

[0090] (7) Remove tubes from bath and cool on ice >5 minutes.

[0091] (8) Centrifuge sample at 10,000 rpm for 5 minutes at room temperature.

[0092] (9) 1 μL of a 1:20 dilution of the supernatant serves as template for PCR. Diluted samples should be stored at minus 20° C. and kept on ice for all manipulations.

[0093] Maize tissue samples extracted by the above method and used in the following Examples are listed in Table 3. TABLE 3 Maize Tissue Samples¹ Sample Designation Tissue H-5 Husk H-9 Husk SBP-2 Husk associated with Sap Beetle

Example 3 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Amplification

[0094] Polymerase chain reactions are performed with the GeneAmp Kit from Perkin-Elmer (Foster City, Calif.; part no. N808-0009) using 50 mM KCl, 2.5 mM MgCl₂, 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH8.3, containing 200 μM of each dTTP, dATP, dCTP, and dGTP in 25 μL reactions containing 25 pmol each primer, 1.25 units of Taq polymerase and 10 ng of genomic DNA. Reactions are run for 30- 40 cycles of 15 s at 94° C., 15 s at 50° C.-70° C., and 45 s at 72° C. in a Perkin-Elmer Model 9600 or 9700 thermal cycler. The products are analyzed by loading 10 μl of each PCR sample on a 1.0% agarose gel and electrophoresing.

Example 4 Synthesis and Purification of Oligonucleotides

[0095] Oligonucleotides (primers) are synthesized by, for example, either Integrated DNA Technologies (Coralville, Iowa) or Midland Certified Reagent Company (Midland, Tex.).

Example 5 Design of Species-specific PCR Primers

[0096] Sequences are obtained from the GenBank database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) for partial sequence listings of small subunit ribosomal RNA and mitochondrial gene for F. verticillioides (SEQ ID NO: 1); F. proliferatum (SEQ ID NO: 2); F. graminearum (syn. Gibberella zeae) (SEQ ID NO: 3); and F. subglutinans (SEQ ID NO: 4). A multiple sequence alignment is made of these sequences. The alignment is analyzed for divergences among the four sequences. The divergences permit the development of primers that will specifically amplify one of the four target sequences in PCR reactions. Oligonucleotide primers are designed to target regions that contain the greatest differences in sequence among the species analyzed (Table 4). FSUB1 (SEQ ID NO: 15), FSUB2 (SEQ ID NO: 16), and FSUB3 (SEQ ID NO: 17) are designed to target the mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) rDNA of Fusarium subglutinans. FPRO1 (SEQ ID NO: 20) is designed to target the mtSSU rDNA of Fusarium proliferatum. The mtSSU rDNA of Fusarium verticillioides is the target of primers FVERT1 (SEQ ID NO: 18) and FVERT2 (SEQ ID NO: 19). These primers may be used in combination with primers FCORN1 (SEQ ID NO: 13) and FCORN2 (SEQ ID NO: 14) that target mtSSU rDNA conserved between the three targeted species of Fusarium.

[0097] Similarly, ITS region rDNA sequence listings for F. subglutinans (SEQ ID NO: 5), F. graminearum (syn. Gibberella zeae) (SEQ ID NO: 6), F. proliferatum (SEQ ID NO: 7), and F. verticillioides (syn. F. verticillioides) (SEQ ID NO: 8) were obtained. An alignment of ITS region sequences is used as above to develop specific primers. In addition, the published ribosomal gene-specific primers ITS1, ITS2, ITS3 and ITS4 (White et al., 1990; In: PCR Protocols; Eds.: Innes et al. pages 315-322) are synthesized for testing in combination with the primers specific for the ITS regions. Primers FPRO2 and FPRO3 target the nuclear rDNA ITS 2 region of Fusarium proliferatum. They maybe used with ITS1, the conserved fungal nuclear rDNA primer targeting the ITS1 region. The species-specific primers as well as the conserved fungal ITS region primers are shown in Table 4. TABLE 4 Primers Designed for Detection of Fusarium Ear Rot Pathogens Fusarium subglutinans, F. proliferatum, and F. verticilioides Name Oligo Sequence (5′ → 3′) Target Identifier ITS1 TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG Fungal Nuclear rDNA ITS region SEQ-ID-NO:9 ITS2 GCTGCGTTCTTCATCGATGC Fungal Nuclear rDNA ITS region SEQ-ID-NO:10 ITS3 GCATCGATGAAGAACGCAGC Fungal Nuclear rDNA ITS region SEQ-ID-NO:11 ITS4 TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC Fungal Nuclear rDNA ITS region SEQ-ID-NO:12 FCORN1 GCAACTTGGAGAAGTGGCAAG Fusarium sp. Mitochondrial SEQ-ID-NO:13 small subunit rDNA FCORN2 AAGTCTTCCAGTATGGGGAG Fusarium sp. Mitochondrial SEQ-ID-NO:14 small subunit rDNA FSUB1 GTCCGATATCTTTAGGAGGC Fusarium subglutinans SEQ-ID-NO:15 Mitochondrial small subunit rDNA FSUB2 TCAACTAGACTACCAACTCAG Fusarium subglutinans SEQ-ID-NO:16 Mitochondrial small subunit rDNA FSUB3 CAAATCTAAGGCTGGCTTGTA Fusarium subglutinans SEQ-ID-NO:17 Mitochondrial small subunit rDNA FVERT1 TGGTGGACTAGTCTGAATCC Fusarium verticillioides SEQ-ID-NO:18 Mitochondrial small subunit rDNA FVERT2 TCAACTACGACTAACCCACC Fusarium verticillioides SEQ-ID-NO:19 Mitochondrial small subunit rDNA FPRO1 TAAACTAACTCAACTAGACGAG Fusarium proliferatum SEQ-ID-NO:20 Mitochondrial small subunit rDNA FPRO2 GATTTCGGGGCCGGCTTGC Fusarium proliferatum nuclear SEQ-ID-NO:21 rDNA ITS region FPRO3 CGCAAGGGCTCGCCGATC Fusarium proliferatum nuclear SEQ-ID-NO:22 rDNA ITS region MS1 CAGCAGTCAAGAATATTAGTCA Fungal mitochondrial small subunit SEQ-ID-NO:23 ATG rDNA region MS2 GCGGATTATCGAATTAAATAAC Fungal mitochondrial small subunit SEQ-ID-NO:24 rDNA region

Example 6 Determination of Primer Specificity to Purified Fungal Genomic DNA

[0098] PCRs are performed according to Example 3 using different primer combinations (Table 5) in an attempt to amplify single specific fragments. Specific PCR amplification products are produced from primers designed from the mitochondrial small subunit rDNA or the nuclear rDNA ITS regions of each fungal strain of interest.

[0099] In an initial screen for specificity, PCR reaction mixtures are made according to Example 3 for each of the primer combinations in Table 5. These are run against a negative control (no DNA added), a healthy maize tissue control (prepared in Example 2A) to test for background amplification, and 10 ng of DNA from the following isolates in Table 1: Fusarium moniliforme M-3120; Fusarium subglutinans M-3693; Fusarium subglutinans M-3696; Fusarium proliferatum M-5991; Fusarium culmorum R-5126; Fusarium graminearum R-8637; Microdochium nivale 15N1; M. nivale var. majus 93; Fusarium poae T-427; and Fusarium avenaceum 64452 prepared as described in Example 1. TABLE 5 Possible Combinations of PCR Primers for the Specific Amplification of Fusarium subglutinans, F. verticillioides, and F. proliferatum. Target Approximate Pathogen 5′ primer 3′ primer Product Size (bp) Fusarium subglutinans FCORN1 (SEQ ID NO:13) FSUB2 (SEQ ID NO:16) 513 Fusarium subglutinans FCORN (SEQ ID NO:14) FSUB2 (SEQ ID NO:16)  495¹ Fusarium subglutinans FSUB1 (SEQ ID NO:15) FSUB2 (SEQ ID NO:16) 456 Fusarium subglutinans FCORN1 (SEQ ID NO:13) FSUB3 (SEQ ID NO:17)  559² Fusarium subglutinans FCORN (SEQ ID NO:14) FSUB3 (SEQ ID NO:17)  541³ Fusarium subglutinans FSUB1 (SEQ ID NO:15) FSUB3 (SEQ ID NO:17)  502⁴ Fusarium verticillioides FCORN1 (SEQ ID NO:13) FVERT1 (SEQ ID NO:18)  544⁵ Fusarium verticillioides FCORN2 (SEQ ID NO:14) FVERT1 (SEQ ID NO:18) 526 Fusarium verticillioides FCORN1 (SEQ ID NO:13) FVERT2 (SEQ ID NO:19)  505⁶ Fusarium verticillioides FCORN2 (SEQ ID NO:14) FVERT2 (SEQ ID NO:19) 487 Fusarium proliferatum FCORN1 (SEQ ID NO:13) FPRO1 (SEQ ID NO:20)  520⁷ Fusarium proliferatum FCORN2 (SEQ ID NO:14) FPRO1 (SEQ ID NO:20) 502 Fusarium proliferatum ITS1 (SEQ ID NO:9) FPRO2 (SEQ ID NO:21)  385⁸ Fusarium proliferatum ITS1 (SEQ ID NO:9) FPRO3 (SEQ ID NO:22)  370⁹ Fusarium proliferatum ITS3 (SEQ ID NO:11) FPRO2 (SEQ ID NO:21) 180 Fusarium proliferatum ITS3 (SEQ ID NO:11) FPRO3 (SEQ ID NO:22) 160 Fungal ITS region ITS1 (SEQ ID NO:9) ITS4 (SEQ ID NO:12) 530 Fungal ITS region ITS1 (SEQ ID NO:9) ITS2 (SEQ ID NO:10) 210 Fungal ITS region ITS3 (SEQ ID NO:9) ITS4 (SEQ ID NO:12) 330

[0100] When visualized on an ethidium bromide stained gel, several primer pairs amplified single products from target DNA with all other reactions (negative control, maize background, and other fungal DNAs) free of both specific and nonspecific reaction products. The primer pairs that give the best amplification for their specific targets with no cross-amplification are summarized in Table 6. See footnotes (Table 5) for information on those primer pairs that amplified target DNA but with less satisfactory results in terms of specificity. TABLE 6 PCR Primer Pairs Providing Specific and Sensitive Amplification of Target DNA for Fusarium subglutinans, F. verticillioides, and F. proliferatum PCR Assays. Target Approximate Pathogen 5′primer 3′primer Product Size (bp) Fusarium subglutinans FSUB1 (SEQ ID NO:15) FSUB2 (SEQ ID NO:16) 456 Fusarium subglutinans FCORN1 (SEQ ID NO:13) FSUB2 (SEQ ID NO:16) 513 Fusarium verticillioides FCORN2 (SEQ ID NO:14) FVERT1 (SEQ ID NO:18) 526 Fusarium verticillioides FCORN2 (SEQ ID NO:14) FVERT2 (SEQ ID NO:19) 487 Fusarium proliferatum FCORN2 (SEQ ID NO:14) FPRO1 (SEQ ID NO:20) 502

Example 7 Validation of Fusarium subglutinans, F. verticillioides, and F. proliferatum PCR Assays Showing Reactivity of Multiple Isolates for a Given Target

[0101] One of the primer pairs in Table 6 is chosen for each target DNA for further characterization and testing: FSUB 1 and FSUB2 for Fusarium subglutinans, FCORN2 and FVERT1 for F. verticillioides, and FCORN2 with FPRO1 for F. proliferatum. Each is run in PCR mastermixes against DNAs from a panel of fungal species (all isolates in Table 1) prepared as in Example 1. Products are visualized on an ethidium bromide stained gel. Results are scored as either positive (+) or negative (−) for the amplification of target DNA with any product visible, of the correct size, being considered a positive and with nonspecifics recorded if present. Results of each of these tests are shown in Tables 7 - 9. Table 7 shows that primers FSUB1 (SEQ ID NO: 15) and FSUB2 (SEQ ID NO: 16), when prepared in PCR reactions as described in Example 3, amplify target DNA from only the isolates identified as Fusarium subglutinans. The primers do not react with isolates of Fusarium proliferatum, F. verticillioides, or with other fungal species known to infect or also shows that the F. subglutinans specific primers DNA described in Example 2A. TABLE 7 Results of F. subglutinans PCR Assay Against a Panel of Ear Rot Pathogen DNAs and a Maize Background Check. Geographic F. subglutinans Fungal species Isolate Isolation Origin PCR Result Fusarium proliferatum M-5991 Swine Feed Iowa, USA − Fusarium proliferatum 94-041 Maize Iowa, USA − Fusarium proliferatum 94-066 Maize Iowa, USA − Fusarium proliferatum 94-129 Maize Iowa, USA − Fusarium proliferatum 95-122 Maize Iowa, USA − Fusarium proliferatum 95-135 Maize Iowa, USA − Fusarium proliferatum 95-289 Maize Iowa, USA − Fusarium proliferatum M-1231 Rice Phillipines − Fusarium proliferatum M-1264 Rice Sierra Leone − Fusarium proliferatum M-1329 Rice California, USA − Fusarium proliferatum M-3744 Rice Australia − Fusarium proliferatum M-5167 Rice Iran − Fusarium proliferatum M-5587 Date Palm Iraq − Fusarium proliferatum M-5605 Poland − Fusarium proliferatum M-6173 Rice Malaysia − Fusarium proliferatum M-6471 Maize Kansas, USA − Fusarium proliferatum M-8510 Rice Nepal, USA − Fusarium verticillioides NRRL Chicken Arkansas, USA − 6396 Feed Fusarium verticillioides NRRL Pinus taeda North Carolina, − 13563 USA Fusarium verticillioides M-3120 Maize California, USA − Fusarium verticillioides M-3125 Maize California, USA − Fusarium subglutinans NRRL Maize Iowa, USA − 13588 Fusarium subglutinans NRRL Maize Zambia + 13599 Fusarium subglutinans NRRL Maize Germany + 20844 Fusarium subglutinans M3693 Maize Iowa, USA + Fusarium subglutinans M3696 Maize Iowa, USA + Fusarium sambucinium- R-6380 Maize Iowa, USA − sulphureum Fusarium 3299 − sporotrichioides Fusarium culmorum R-5126 Minnesota, USA − Fusarium graminearum R-8637 Settat, Morocco − Microdochium nivale 15N1 United Kingdom − Microdochium nivale #093 − var. majus Fusarium poae T-427 Pennsylvannia, − USA Fusarium avenaceum ATCC Poland − 64452 Diplodia maydis 5139 Macrophomina MP97 − phaseolina Aspergillus flavus 3557 − Kabatiella zeae 18594 Maize Wisconsin, USA − Cercospora zeae-maydis 69281L − Cercospora zeae-maydis 26158 Maize New York, USA − Puccinia sorghi VA Helminthosporium 24772 Maize North Carolina, − maydis USA Helminthosporium 11534 Maize Maryland, USA − maydis Helminthosporium 16185 Maize Virginia, USA − carbonum Helminthosporium 24962 Maize Illinois, USA − carbonum Helminthosporium 26306 Maize Illinois, USA − turcicum Fusarium culmorum 62215 Wheat seed Switzerland − Fusarium culmorum R-5106 Darling Downs, − Australia 1999 Maize sample #1 — — Iowa, USA −

[0102] Table 8 shows that primers FCORN2 (SEQ ID NO: 14) and FPRO1 (SEQ ID NO: 20), when prepared in PCR reactions as described in Example 3, amplify target DNA from only the isolates identified as Fusarium proliferatum and with all isolates in this study that were identified as F. proliferatum. The primers do not react with maize DNA (1999 Maize sample #1 or with other fungal species know to infect or colonize maize tissue including F. verticillioides and F. subglutinans TABLE 8 Results of F. proliferatum PCR Assay Against a Panel of Ear Rot Pathogen DNAs and a Maize Background Check. Geographic F. proliferatum Fungal species Isolate Isolation Origin PCR Result Fusarium proliferatum M-5991 Swine Feed Iowa, USA + Fusarium proliferatum 94-041 Maize Iowa, USA + Fusarium proliferatum 94-066 Maize Iowa, USA + Fusarium proliferatum 94-129 Maize Iowa, USA + Fusarium proliferatum 95-122 Maize Iowa, USA + Fusarium proliferatum 95-135 Maize Iowa, USA + Fusarium proliferatum 95-289 Maize Iowa, USA + Fusarium proliferatum M-1231 Rice Phillipines + Fusarium proliferatum M-1264 Rice Sierra Leone + Fusarium proliferatum M-1329 Rice California, USA + Fusarium proliferatum M-3744 Rice Australia + Fusarium proliferatum M-5167 Rice Iran + Fusarium proliferatum M-5587 Date Palm Iraq + Fusarium proliferatum M-5605 Poland + Fusarium proliferatum M-6173 Rice Malaysia + Fusarium proliferatum M-6471 Maize Kansas, USA + Fusarium proliferatum M-8510 Rice Nepal, USA + Fusarium verticillioides NRRL Chicken Arkansas, USA − 6396 Feed Fusarium verticillioides NRRL Pinus taeda North Carolina, − 13563 USA Fusarium verticillioides M-3120 Maize California, USA − Fusarium verticillioides M-3125 Maize California, USA − Fusarium subglutinans NRRL Maize Iowa, USA − 13588 Fusarium subglutinans NRRL Maize Zambia − 13599 Fusarium subglutinans NRRL Maize Germany − 20844 Fusarium subglutinans M3693 Maize Iowa, USA − Fusarium subglutinans M3696 Maize Iowa, USA − Fusarium sambucinium- R-6380 Maize Iowa, USA − sulphureum Fusarium 3299 − sporotrichioides Fusarium culmorum R-5126 Minnesota, USA − Fusarium graminearum R-8637 Settat, Morocco − Microdochium nivale 15N1 United Kingdom − Microdochium nivale #093 − var. majus Fusarium poae T-427 Pennsylvannia, − USA Fusarium avenaceum ATCC Poland − 64452 Diplodia maydis 5139 − Macrophomina MP97 − phaseolina Aspergillus flavus 3557 − Kabatiella zeae 18594 Maize Wisconsin, USA − Cercospora zeae-maydis 69281L − Cercospora zeae-maydis 26158 Maize New York, USA − Puccinia sorghi VA − Helminthosporium 24772 Maize North Carolina, − maydis USA Helminthosporium 11534 Maize Maryland, USA − maydis Helminthosporium 16185 Maize Virginia, USA − carbonum Helminthosporium 24962 Maize Illinois, USA − carbonum Helminthosporium 26306 Maize Illinois, USA − turcicum Fusarium culmorum 62215 Wheat seed Switzerland − Fusarium culmorum R-5106 Darling Downs, − Australia 1999 Maize sample #1 — — Iowa, USA −

[0103] The primers FCORN2 (SEQ ID NO: 14) and FVERT1 (SEQ ID NO: 18) were run against the same DNA preparations of fungal isolates and maize tissue that were tested using the F. subglutinans and F. proliferatum specific primers (results in Tables 7 and 8, respectively). The F. verticillioides specific primers, when prepared in PCR reactions as described in Example 3, amplify target DNA from only the isolates identified as Fusarium verticillioides (Table 9). The primers do not react with isolates of Fusarium subglutinans, F proliferatum, or with other fungal species known to infect or colonize maize tissue. Table 9 also shows that FCORN2 and FVERT1 do not react with a preparation of maize DNA. TABLE 9 Results of F. verticillioides PCR Assay Against a Panel of Ear Rot Pathogen DNAs and a Maize Background Check. Geographic F. verticillioides Fungal species Isolate Isolation Origin PCR Result Fusarium proliferatum M-5991 Swine Feed Iowa, USA − Fusarium proliferatum 94-041 Maize Iowa, USA − Fusarium proliferatum 94-066 Maize Iowa, USA − Fusarium proliferatum 94-129 Maize Iowa, USA − Fusarium proliferatum 95-122 Maize Iowa, USA − Fusarium proliferatum 95-135 Maize Iowa, USA − Fusarium proliferatum 95-289 Maize Iowa, USA − Fusarium proliferatum M-1231 Rice Phillipines − Fusarium proliferatum M-1264 Rice Sierra Leone − Fusarium proliferatum M-1329 Rice California, USA − Fusarium proliferatum M-3744 Rice Australia − Fusarium proliferatum M-5167 Rice Iran − Fusarium proliferatum M-5587 Date Palm Iraq − Fusarium proliferatum M-5605 Poland − Fusariuin proliferatum M-6173 Rice Malaysia − Fusarium proliferatum M-6471 Maize Kansas, USA − Fusarium proliferatum M-8510 Rice Nepal, USA − Fusarium verticillioides NRRL Chicken Arkansas, USA + 6396 Feed Fusarium verticillioides NRRL Pinus taeda North Carolina, + 13563 USA Fusarium verticillioides M-3120 Maize California, USA + Fusarium verticillioides M-3125 Maize California, USA + Fusarium subglutinans NRRL Maize Iowa, USA − 13588 Fusarium subglutinans NRRL Maize Zambia − 13599 Fusarium subglutinans NRRL Maize Germany − 20844 Fusarium subglutinans M3693 Maize Iowa, USA − Fusarium subglutinans M3696 Maize Iowa, USA − Fusarium sambucinium- R-6380 Maize Iowa, USA − sulphureum Fusarium sporotrichioides 3299 − Fusarium culmorum R-5126 Minnesota, USA − Fusarium graminearum R-8637 Settat, Morocco − Microdochium nivale 15N1 United Kingdom − Microdochium nivale #093 − var. majus Fusarium poae T-427 Pennsylvannia, − USA Fusarium avenaceum ATCC Poland − 64452 Diplodia maydis 5139 − Macrophomina phaseolina MP97 − Aspergillus flavus 3557 − Kahatiella zeae 18594 Maize Wisconsin, USA − Cercospora zeae-maydis 69281L − Cercospora zeae-maydis 26158 Maize New York, USA − Puccinia sorghi VA Helminthosporium maydis 24772 Maize North Carolina, − USA Helminthosporium maydis 11534 Maize Maryland, USA − Helminthosporium 16185 Maize Virginia, USA − carbonum Helminthosporium 24962 Maize Illinois, USA − carbonum Helminthosporium 26306 Maize Illinois, USA − turcicum Fusarium culmorum 62215 Wheat seed Switzerland − Fusarium culmorum R-5106 Darling Downs, − Australia 1999 Maize sample #1 — — Iowa, USA −

[0104] In summary, assays using FSUB1 and FSUB2 for Fusarium subglutinans, FCORN2 and FVERT1 for F. verticillioides, and FCORN2 with FPRO 1 for F. proliferatum amplified DNAs only from target species for each PCR assay. No cross-reactivity with any of the other DNAs was observed. FSUB1 when used with FSUB2 in PCR reactions, when prepared as in Example 3, amplify only the isolates in Table 1 identified as Fusarium subglutinans. Likewise, primers FCORN2 and FVERT 1 amplify products only with isolates identified as the target Fusarium verticillioides and primers FCORN2 and FPRO1 amplify from Fusarium proliferatum isolates only. No cross-reactivity is observed among preparations of non-target DNA from maize and other fungal pathogens. Furthermore, nonspecific amplification products are absent in all reactions performed.

Example 8 Use of Fusarium subglutinans, F. verticillioides, and F. proliferatum PCR Assays for Determination of Fungal Species Cultured from Field Samples

[0105] The maize ear rot PCR assays documented in the above examples are used to establish the speciation of unknown ear rot isolates cultured from field-grown maize in Stanton, Minn., USA (Table 2). PCRs are performed as described in Example 3 using optimal primer pairs (FSUB1 and FSUB2 for Fusarium subglutinans, FCORN2 and FVERT1 for F. verticillioides, and FCORN2 with FPRO 1 for F. proliferatum) against DNA from the field isolates prepared as described in Example 1. Products are visualized on an ethidium bromide stained gel. Results are scored as either positive (+) or negative (−) for the amplification of target DNA. Any PCR product visible, of the correct size, is considered a positive and nonspecifics are recorded if present. Results of each of these tests are shown in Tables 10-12. TABLE 10 Results of F. subglutinans PCR Assays Against Isolates Collected from Field-grown Maize. F. subglutinans F. subglutinans Isolate PCR Result Isolate PCR Result Fm001 − Fm042 − Fm002 − Fm043 − Fm003 + Fm044 − Fm004 − Fm045 − Fm005 − Fm046 − Fm006 − Fm047 − Fm007 − Fm048 − Fm008 − Fm049 − Fm009 − Fm050 − Fm010 − Fm051 − Fm011 − Fm052 − Fm012 − Fm053 − Fm013 − Fm054 − Fm014 − Fm055 − Fm034 − Fm056 − Fm035 − BC3SO 189 − Fm036 − Fsub1 + Fm037 − Fsub2 + Fm041 − Fsub3 + Fsub4 +

[0106] Five of the forty-one isolates cultured from field-grown maize react with the Fusarium subglutinans primers. TABLE 11 Results of F. proliferatum PCR Assays Against Isolates Collected from Field-grown Maize. F. proliferatum F. proliferatum Isolate PGR Result Isolate PCR Result Fm001 − Fm042 − Fm002 − Fm043 − Fm003 − Fm044A + Fm004 − Fm045 − Fm005 − Fm046 − Fm006 − Fm047A + Fm007 − Fm048 − Fm008 − Fm049 − Fm009 − Fm050 − Fm010 + Fm051 − Fm011 − Fm052 − Fm012 − Fm053 − Fm013 − Fm054 − Fm014 + Fm055 − Fm034 − Fm056 − Fm035 − BC3SO 189 − Fm036 − Fsub1 − Fm037A + Fsub2 − Fm041 − Fsub3 − Fsub4 −

[0107] The Fusarium proliferatum specific primers react with five of the forty-one isolates cultured from field-grown maize. TABLE 12 Results of F. verticillioides PCR Assay Against Isolates Collected from Field-grown Maize. F. verticillioides F. verticillioides Isolate PGR Result Isolate PCR Result Fm001 + Fm042 + Fm002 + Fm043 + Fm003 − Fm044 − Fm004 + Fm045 + Fm005 + Fm046 + Fm006 + Fm047 − Fm007 + Fm048 + Fm008 + Fm049 + Fm009 + Fm050 + Fm010 − Fm051 + Fm011 + Fm052 + Fm012 + Fm053 + Fm013 − Fm054 + Fm014 − Fm055 − Fm034 + Fm056 + Fm035 + BC3SO 189 − Fm036 + Fsub1 − Fm037 − Fsub2 − Fm041 + Fsub3 − Fsub4 −

[0108] Twenty-eight of the isolates cultured from field-grown maize were identified as Fusarium verticillioides with the species-specific PCR primers FCORN2 and FVERT1. For the forty-one isolates tested, none react with more than one of the three tests. These experiments demonstrate the utility of the diagnostic PCR primers for characterizing isolates of maize ear rot.

Example 9 Use of Fusarium subglutinans, F. verticillioides, and F. proliferatum PCR Assays for Detection and Differentiation of Fungal Species Infecting Husk Tissues Collected from Field-grown Maize

[0109] The maize ear rot PCR assays are used to establish the speciation of ear rot pathogens present in husk tissue samples taken from field-grown maize (Table 2). PCRs are performed as described in Example 3 using FSUB1 and FSUB2 for Fusarium subglutinans, FCORN2 and FVERT 1 for F. verticillioides, and FCORN2 with FPRO1 for F. proliferatum against DNA from the field isolates prepared as in Example 2B. Products are visualized on an ethidium bromide stained gel. Results are scored as either positive (+) or negative (−) for the amplification of target DNA. Products are compared to a molecular size marker and positive controls on the gel to determine that the products scored are of the correct size and any nonspecific amplification products are recorded if present. Results of the Fusarium subglutinans test are shown in Table 13. TABLE 13 Results of F. subglutinans Assay Against Various Maize Tissues Sample F. subglutinans Designation Tissue PCR Result H-5 Husk + H-9 Husk + SBP-2 Husk +

[0110] The three maize tissues tested are identified as positive for the presence of Fusarium subglutinans target DNA. Fusarium proliferatum and F. verticillioides tests are also run against these husk tissues. No target DNA is detected in the maize tissues using the F. proliferatum or F. verticillioides assays. The results of these experiments show the utility of the maize ear rot assays in identifying and distinguishing species present in maize tissue samples without having to first culture the organism out of the tissue. The primers in Example 6 can be used in PCR assays to directly characterize extractions of maize tissue.

Example 10 Determination of Primer Specificity to Purified Fungal Genomic DNA Using MS1 or MS2 primer Combinations

[0111] Primers MS1 and MS2 from the literature are designed to amplify mitochondrial small subunit rDNA. The MS1 priming site lies upstream of the reverse primers FSUB2, FSUB3, FVERT1, FVERT2, and FPRO1. Using the conserved MS1 primer in combination with 3′ primers specific to a fungus such as a Fusarium spp. in polymerase chain reactions performed as in Example 3 produces am assau ised tp detect the specific fungus. For example, MS1 is combined with a 3′ primer listed in Table 5 such as: FSUB2 or FSUB3 to detect F. subglutinans; FVERT1 or FVERT2 to detect F. verticillioides; and FPRO1 to detect F. proliferatum.

[0112] Similarly, the MS2 reverse primer in combination with 5′ primers specific to a fungus such as Fusarium spp. are used to detect one or more specific fungi in PCR reactions performed as in Example 3. For example, MS2 is combined with a 5′ primer listed in Table 5 such asFSUB1 to detect F. subglutinans; and FCORN1 or FCORN2 to Fusarium spp. in general. Such an assay for Fusarium spp. could have utility in situations where detection of Fusarium spp. without differentiation of the species present is desired.

[0113] While the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that numerous variations, modifications, and further embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the scope of the present invention.

[0114] Numerous patents, applications and references are discussed or cited within this specification, and all are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

1 24 1 682 DNA Fusarium verticillioides (syn. F. moniliforme) 1 gctaacggct gaactggcaa cttggagaag tggcaagtct tccagtatgg ggagcaaaac 60 agctatgggt caagtccgat atctttagga gaagtcttat tgtgagggcg agttttataa 120 caccatagga ctggccgccc catatgaaaa gattatatta gaattgaatg aagctttgtt 180 tatatattga taatgacagt atatatatcg tgtcttgact aattgcgtgc cagcagtcgc 240 ggtaatacgt aagagactag tgttattcat cttaattagg tttaaagggt acccagacgg 300 tcaatatagc ttataaaatg ttagtacttg actagagttt tatgtaagag ggcagtactt 360 gaggaggaga gatgaaattt cgtgatacca aagggactct gtaaaggcga aggcagccct 420 ctatgtaaaa actgacgttg aaggacgaag gcacagagaa caaacaggat tagataccca 480 agtagtcttt gcagtaaatg atgaatgcca taggttagat gggtgggtta gtcgtagttg 540 agttagttta gcaaactaat ggattcagac tagtccacca tatatttggt ctataaatga 600 aagtgtaagc atttcacctc aagagtaatg tggcaacgca ggaactgaaa tcactagacc 660 gtttctgaca ccagtagtga ag 682 2 689 DNA Fusarium proliferatum 2 gctaacggct gaactggcaa cttggagaag tggcaagtct tccagtatgg ggagcaaaac 60 agctatgggt caagtctgat atctttagga ggggcgaagc tcctcttatt gtgagggcga 120 gttatataac accataggac tggccgcccc atatgaaaag attatattag aattgaatga 180 agctttgttt atatattgat aatgacagta tatatatcgt gtcttgacta attgcgtgcc 240 agcagtcgcg gtaatacgta agagactagt gttattcatc ttaattaggt ttaaagggta 300 cccagacggt caatatagct tataaaatgt tagtacttga ctagagtttt atgtaagagg 360 gcagtacttg aggaggagag atgaaatttc gtgataccaa agggactctg taaaggcgaa 420 ggcagccctc tatgtaaaaa ctgacgttga aggacgaagg cacagagaac aaacaggatt 480 agatacccaa gtagtctttg cagtaaatga tgaatgccat aggttagatg ggtgggctcg 540 tctagttgag ttagtttagc aaactaatga tctagacgag cccaccgtat atttggtcta 600 taaatgaaag tgtaagcatt tcacctcaag agtaatgtgg caacgcagga actgaaatca 660 ctagaccgtt tctgacacca gtagtgaag 689 3 726 DNA gibberella zeae (syn. Fusarium graminearum) 3 gctaacggct gaactggcaa cttggagaag tggcaagtct tccagtatgg ggagcaaaca 60 gctatgggtc aagcccgata cctttaagag aagtcttatt gtgagggcga gttgtataac 120 accatagggc tggccgcccc atatgaaaag attttattag aattgaatga aactttgttt 180 atatattgat aatgacagta tatatatcgt gtcttgacta attgcgtgcc agcagtcgcg 240 gtaatacgta agagactagt gttattcatc ttaattaggt ttaaagggta cccagacggt 300 ctatatagct tataaaatgt tagtataaga ctagagtttt atgtaagagg gcagtacttg 360 aggaggagag atgaaatttc gtgataccaa agggactctg taaaggcgaa ggcagccctc 420 tatgtaaaaa ctgacgttga aggacgaagg cacagagaac aaacaggatt agatacccaa 480 gtagtctttg cagtaaatga tgaatgccat aggttagatc tatatttcta ttataataat 540 acatttctat tatttattat aaaacgcatt ccttatatag cttcgcgcta taatatattt 600 tatatatagt gcagcagaaa tttttgtatc tggtctataa atgaaagtgt aagcatttca 660 cctcaagagt aatgtggcaa cgcaggaact gaaatcacta gaccgtttct gacaccagta 720 gtgaag 726 4 690 DNA Fusarium subglutinans 4 gctaacggct gaactggcaa cttggagaag tggcaagtct tccagtatgg ggagcaaaac 60 agctatgggt caagtccgat atctttagga ggcgcgaagc tcctcttatt gtgagggcga 120 gttttataac accataggac tggccgcccc atatgaaaag attatattag aattgaatga 180 agctttgttt atatattgat aatgacagta tatatatcgt gtcttgacta attgcgtgcc 240 agcagtcgcg gtaatacgta agagactagt gttattcatc ttaattaggt ttaaagggta 300 cccagacggt caatatagct tataaaatgt tagtacttga ctagagtttt atgtaagagg 360 gcagtacttg aggaggagag atgaaatttc gtgataccaa agggactcgg taaaggcgaa 420 ggcagccctc taggtaaaaa ctgacgttga aggacgaagg cacagagaac aaacaggatt 480 agatacccaa gtagtctttg cagtaaatga tgaatgccat aggttagatc tgagttggta 540 gtctagttga gttagtttac taaactaatg atctatacaa gccagcctta gatttggtct 600 ataaatgaaa gtgtaagcat ttcacctcaa gagtaatgtg gcaacgcagg aactgaaatc 660 actagaccgt ttctgacacc agtagtgaag 690 5 522 DNA Fusarium subglutinans 5 tccgttggtg aaccagcgga gggatcatta ccgagtttac aactcccaaa cccctgtgaa 60 cataccaatt gttgcctcgg cggatcagcc cgctcccggt aaaacgggac ggcccgccag 120 aggaccccta aactctgttt ctatatgtaa cttctgagta aaaccataaa taaatcaaaa 180 ctttcaacaa cggatctctt ggttctggca tcgatgaaga acgcagcaaa atgcgataag 240 taatgtgaat tgcagaattc agtgaatcat cgaatctttg aacgcacatt gcgcccgcca 300 gtattctggc gggcatgcct gttcgagcgt catttcaacc ctcaagccca gcttggtgtt 360 gggactcgcg agtcaaatcg cgttccccaa attgattggc ggtcacgtcg agcttccata 420 gcgtagtagt aaaaccctcg ttactggtaa tcgtcgcggc cacgccgtta aaccccaact 480 tctgaatgtt gacctcggat caggtaggaa tacccgctga ac 522 6 521 DNA Gibberella zeae 6 tccgttggtg aaccagcgga gggatcatta ccgagtttac aactcccaaa cccctgtgaa 60 cataccttat gttgcctcgg cggatcagcc cgcgccccgt aaaaagggac ggcccgccgc 120 aggaacccta aactctgttt ttagtggaac ttctgagtat aaaaaacaaa taaatcaaaa 180 ctttcaacaa cggatctctt ggttctggca tcgatgaaga acgcagcaaa atgcgataag 240 taatgtgaat tgcagaattc agtgaatcat cgaatctttg aacgcacatt gcgcccgcca 300 gtattctggc gggcatgcct gttcgagcgt catttcaacc ctcaagccca gcttggtgtt 360 gggagctgca gtcctgctgc actccccaaa tacattggcg gtcacgtcga gcttccatag 420 cgtagtaatt tacacatcgt tactggtaat cgtcgcggcc acgccgttaa accccaactt 480 ctgaatgttg acctcggatc aggtaggaat acccgctgaa c 521 7 534 DNA Fusarium proliferatum 7 tccgttggtg aaccagcgga gggatcatta ccgagtttac aactcccaaa cccctgtgaa 60 cataccaatt gttgcctcgg cggatcagcc cgctcccggt aaaacgggac ggcccgccag 120 aggaccccta aactctgttt ctatatgtaa cttctgagta aaaccataaa taaatcaaaa 180 ctttcaacaa cggatctctt ggttctggca tcgatgaaga acgcagcaaa atgcgataag 240 taatgtgaat tgcagaattc agtgaatcat cgaatctttg aacgcacatt gcgcccgcca 300 gtattctggc gggcatgcct gttcgagcgt catttcaacc ctcaagcccc cgggtttggt 360 gttggggatc ggcgagccct tgcggcaagc cggccccgaa atctagtggc ggtctcgctg 420 cagcttccat tgcgtagtag taaaaccctc gcaactggta cgcggcgcgg ccaagccgtt 480 aaacccccaa cttctgaatg ttgacctcgg atcaggtagg aatacccgct gaac 534 8 522 DNA Fusarium verticillioides (syn. F. moniliforme) 8 tccgttggtg aaccagcgga gggatcatta ccgagtttac aactcccaaa cccctgtgaa 60 cataccaatt gttgcctcgg cggatcagcc cgctcccggt aaaacgggac ggcccgccag 120 aggaccccta aactctgttt ctatatgtaa cttctgagta aaaccataaa taaatcaaaa 180 ctttcaacaa cggatctctt ggttctggca tcgatgaaga acgcagcaaa atgcgataag 240 taatgtgaat tgcagaattc agtgaatcat cgaatctttg aacgcacatt gcgcccgcca 300 gtattctggc gggcatgcct gttcgagcgt catttcaacc ctcaagccca gcttggtgtt 360 gggactcgcg agtcaaatcg cgttccccaa attgattggc ggtcacgtcg agcttccata 420 gcgtagtagt aaaaccctcg ttactggtaa tcgtcgcggc cacgccgtta aaccccaact 480 tctgaatgtt gacctcggat caggtaggaa tacccgctga ac 522 9 19 DNA Artificial sequence misc_feature (1)..(19) Primer ITS1 9 tccgtaggtg aacctgcgg 19 10 20 DNA Artificial sequence misc_feature (1)..(20) Primer ITS2 10 gctgcgttct tcatcgatgc 20 11 20 DNA Artificial sequence misc_feature (1)..(20) Primer ITS3 11 gcatcgatga agaacgcagc 20 12 20 DNA Artificial sequence misc_feature (1)..(20) Primer ITS4 12 tcctccgctt attgatatgc 20 13 21 DNA Artificial sequence misc_feature (1)..(20) Primer FCORN1 13 gcaacttgga gaagtggcaa g 21 14 20 DNA Artificial sequence misc_feature (1)..(20) Primer FCORN2 14 aagtcttcca gtatggggag 20 15 20 DNA Artificial sequence misc_feature (1)..(20) Primer FSUB1 15 gtccgatatc tttaggaggc 20 16 21 DNA Artificial sequence misc_feature (1)..(21) Primer FSUB2 16 tcaactagac taccaactca g 21 17 21 DNA Artificial sequence misc_feature (1)..(21) Primer FSUB3 17 caaatctaag gctggcttgt a 21 18 20 DNA Artificial sequence misc_feature (1)..(20) Primer FVERT1 18 tggtggacta gtctgaatcc 20 19 20 DNA Artificial sequence misc_feature (1)..(20) Primer FVERT2 19 tcaactacga ctaacccacc 20 20 22 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1)..(22) Primer FPRO1 20 taaactaact caactagacg ag 22 21 19 DNA Artificial sequence misc_feature (1)..(19) Primer FPRO2 21 gatttcgggg ccggcttgc 19 22 18 DNA Artificial sequence misc_feature (1)..(18) Primer FPRO3 22 cgcaagggct cgccgatc 18 23 25 DNA Artificial sequence misc_feature (1)..(25) Primer MS1 23 cagcagtcaa gaatattagt caatg 25 24 22 DNA Artificial sequence misc_feature (1)..(22) Primer MS2 24 gcggattatc gaattaaata ac 22 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for the detection of a fungal pathogen, comprising the steps of: (a) isolating DNA from a plant leaf infected with a pathogen; (b) subjecting said DNA to polymerase chain reaction amplification using at least one primer having sequence identity with at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of an Internal Transcribed Spacer sequence of a Fusarium spp.; and (c) detecting said fungal pathogen by visualizing the product or products of said polymerase chain reaction amplification.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said fungal pathogen is Fusarium subglutinans.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said fungal pathogen is Fusarium proliferatum.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the fungal pathogen is Fusarium verticillioides.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the Internal Trascribed Sequence has the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, 7, or
 8. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one primer comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9-12, 20 or
 21. 7. A method for the detection of a fungal pathogen, comprising the steps of: (a) isolating DNA from a plant leaf infected with a pathogen; (b) subjecting said DNA to polymerase chain reaction amplification using at least one primer having sequence identity with at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of a mitochondrial small subunit rDNA gene from a Fusarium spp.; and (c) detecting said fungal pathogen by visualizing the product or products of said polymerase chain reaction amplification.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said fungal pathogen is Fusarium subglutinans.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein said fungal pathogen is Fusarium proliferatum.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the fungal pathogen is Fusarium verticillioides.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the mitochondrial small subunit rDNA gene sequence has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, or
 4. 12. The method of claim 7, wherein at least one primer comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 13-20, 23 or
 24. 13. The method of claim 7, wherein the primers comprise: a) SEQ ID NO: 15 and SEQ ID NO: 16; b) SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 18; c) SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 19; or d) SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO:
 20. 14. A diagnostic kit used in detecting a fungal pathogen comprising at least one primer having at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of an Internal Transcribed Spacer sequence of a Fusarium spp.
 15. A diagnostic kit used in detecting a fungal pathogen comprising at least one primer comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9-12, 21 or
 22. 16. A diagnostic kit used in detecting a fungal pathogen comprising at least one primer having at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of a mitochondrial small subunit rDNA gene of a Fusarium spp.
 17. A diagnostic kit used in detecting a fungal pathogen comprising at least one primer having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13-20, 23 or
 24. 18. A diagnostic kit used in detecting a fungal pathogen comprising a pair of primers of a) SEQ ID NO: 15 and SEQ ID NO: 16; b) SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 18; c) SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 19; or d) SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO:
 20. 